Belfast blues for Aly
filed Sunday, October 22, 2023. 3:41pm PT/USA
Ahmed Aly Elsayed has bowed out in round one of the 2023 Northern Ireland Open at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Ahmed Aly Elsayed pictured at the table during his 2023 Northern Ireland Open first round tie against Jamaica's Rory McLeod
Photo courtesy of screen capture
Aly was due to play the world number one ranked player Ronnie O'Sullivan in round one which would have been a fabulous experience in front of a big crowd in Belfast and millions of television viewers around the world, however the seven times former World Champion withdrew due to medical reasons and so there was a late replacement, Rory McLeod, who was the highest ranked player available from the Q School ranking list.
The English born Jamaican player first turned professional in 1991 and has been on-and-off the Tour since, achieving a higest world ranking of 32.
Aly was defeated 4-0 by McLeod though frames one and four went right down to the final colored balls, of which he had several opportunities to win (Match scoresheet).
It was a very frustrating performance from the American who found it difficult to find any kind of form, despite having a multitude of chances throughout the match.
Aly's next match on the World Snooker Tour will be in Scottish Open qualifying against Belgium's Ben Mertens to be played on Wednesday, November 1 in Leicester, England.
